When it comes to family travel, a comfortable crash pad is a must in my book! And the fact that my family of five doesn't fit in your standard hotel room always complicates our vacation planning. But a recent trip to Branson, Missouri, came with a pleasant, super-sized surprise. My visit landed me in one of the most lovely, family-friendly Branson, Mo. hotels: the Branson Westgate Woods Resort. It was the perfect place for us to stay in one of our favorite Christmas towns in the US.

The rustic, mountain lodge-themed property sprawls out over 145 beautiful, wooded acres and packs in plenty of family-friendly activities. But when you've had enough fun, the spacious, suite-style accommodations wait to welcome you back like a warm hug—cozy fireplace included!

Read on for more of what you can expect from this Branson, Mo. hotel and the town it calls home, then bookmark our Midwest Family Vacation Guide to start planning a trip of your own.

While you may know The Paley Center for its expansive library of TV shows and movies or its epic VR-filled gaming studio, from now until January 7th, the much-loved museum has been transformed into a five-story winter wonderland! Dubbed “Paleyland,” the seasonal attraction invites visitors to sip hot chocolate, snap photos with Santa, catch screenings of classic holiday movies, and so much more.

My daughters and I jumped at the chance to visit PaleyLand in Midtown Manhattan and it did not disappoint. Here’s what to know before you go:

If you are wondering what's open on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve in Connecticut, there are light shows and fun things to do and see. When the "most wonderful" time of year is here, and decorations are up, menus are planned, and most gifts are wrapped, you may be thinking about some activities that will help you cherish family time. This list of 17 events happening on and around Christmas Day in Connecticut is sure to have something for everyone, from Christmas Eve skating and a reindeer festival to a much-loved free light show.

With media issues fixed and "It's a Wonderful Life" cued up, I'm ready for Christmas! No matter what you celebrate, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or a combination, have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy as much as you can with our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Connecticut Families.

Most places are closed on Christmas, but we’ve come up with 20 things to do with kids and found out what's open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Boston. These ideas can add some multi-generational family fun to Christmas, whether you want to be warm and cozy indoors or get outdoors for some fresh air. Finding things to do on holidays can be a really special activity, whether your staying home with immediate family, or gathering with siblings, cousins, grandparents, and other loved ones.

For more ideas, explore our Holiday Fun Guide.      

Here are nearly two dozen things to do in NYC with kids on December 25. 

When Mother Nature shuts down your favorite local playground, this list of indoor activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley keeps kids active and engaged while getting the whole family out of the house.

We've listed our 29 top indoor activities below, though we've got countless more picks on our list of the best indoor play spaces in Westchester and in our Guide to Museums for Westchester and Hudson Valley families.